Buffalo City Municipal Workers still up in arms over employment impasse

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Municipal Workers' Union Samwu in Buffalo City has expressed grave disappointment over the slow pace at which long term temporary employers are being permanent.

At a Council meeting on Wednesday, Buffalo City executive mayor, Zukiswa Ncitha revealed that only 91 of the close to 800 long term temporary workers have been employed permanently.

Earlier this year SAMWU embarked on a two-week long strike, leaving the streets of the city filled with uncollected refuse, demanding a 14th cheque and permanent employment for long term temporary workers.

SAMWU BCM spokesperson Zolani Ndlela says that wasn't the first time they raised the matter.

He says they'd expected the workers to be employed by July.

"We are going to ask that this thing must be done before the end of September. There are close to 400 temps that need to be absorbed by the system. In addition to that you have another number of security guards. We are going to challenge this and ask for a report" Ndlela

However, Mayor Ncitha says they look at the availability of positions, skills, years of service and the availability of funds before appointing people into permanent posts.

She says some of the temps do not apply for permanent posts because they do not want deductions from their salaries.